Scaffolders could be given the right to stop work during extreme heat under plans being developed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The proposals, aimed at protecting manual workers from heat stress, would require employers to carry out formal “heat stress assessments” when temperatures hit a certain level. Employers would also need to provide more frequent breaks, access to shade, and drinking water.

Unions are pushing for a legal maximum of 27°C for manual labour, a move that would set a clear-cut-off point for high-risk outdoor work such as scaffolding.

No Maximum Limit Yet – But Change on the Horizon

Currently, UK law sets a safe minimum workplace temperature of 13°C for strenuous work, but there is no legal maximum. The revised guidance, last updated in 1992, is expected to stop short of setting a binding maximum temperature, but would give stronger direction to employers.

For scaffolders, who often work on exposed structures with little shade, the guidance could change day-to-day operations in the summer months. This may include:

• Earlier start times to avoid the midday sun

• Compulsory rest breaks in shaded or cool areas

• Lightweight PPE designed for hot weather

• Temporary halts to work when heat thresholds are met

Unions Call for Clear Rules

Lynsey Mann, health and safety officer at the GMB union, said: “Ultimately, there needs to be a legal maximum working temperature, in the same way we have a legal minimum working temperature.”

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has also called for new legislation to keep workers safe as UK summers become hotter. The Met Office has warned that temperatures of up to 45°C could be seen in the coming years.

Some business groups and politicians have criticised the plans, arguing they could hurt productivity and add red tape. The Federation of Small Businesses said existing laws already require employers to act if conditions become unsafe.

Others say Britain’s heatwaves are short-lived and workable adjustments should be made without new laws.

What It Means for the Scaffolding Industry

Scaffolding work is physically demanding, carried out at height, and often in full sun – conditions that can rapidly lead to heat exhaustion if unmanaged. The proposed changes could see site schedules altered during summer months and may require contractors to build in more weather-related downtime.

While the HSE’s updated guidance is still in development, any move towards stricter heat safety rules is likely to have a direct impact on scaffolding operations, training, and project planning.

The HSE says it will bring forward detailed proposals in the coming months.

A spokesperson for NASC, the employers’ organisation for scaffolding and access in the UK, said: “We all need to recognise that environmental challenges are growing and that this is likely to result in more instances of extreme weather including heat waves and hotter summers. Good safety guidance should absolutely take care of staff and should consider all aspects of health and safety.

Guidance on working at temperatures would be a good addition to have and it’s something we don’t have. We’ll look to work with the relevant union to create something that works well for all parties.”